Trailer structure and member with removable element

ABSTRACT

An improved trailer bed structure for use with trailers or the like and having an improved structural member. A bed structure having a least one bed member having a predetermined number of edges, with at least two support members joined in a predetermined configuration and a loading frame structure to support and protect the loading edge of the bed. The loading frame structure has a removable elongated member in cooperation with a frame member, each having mating structures to permit slidable removal and replacement of the removable elongated member.

This application is a division of Ser. No. 08/978,781 filed Nov. 26,1997 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/558,439 filed Nov. 16, 1995,now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to bed structures for hauling; and moreparticularly, to a light-weight structure having an improved structuralmember having a replaceable element to allow replacement of anassociated bed member or replacement of the replacement element whenworn.

2. State of the Prior Art

Various structures for supporting and transporting snowmobiles, allterrain vehicles, garden tractors, motorcycles, and the like have beendescribed. Many of these structures are associated with trailers thatcan be towed behind a vehicle. Many general hauling structures includedfixed tie-down devices around the periphery of the bed that are utilizedin conjunction with chains, ropes, elastic style hooked tie-downdevices, or retractable web tie-down material. Tying objects or varioustypes of recreational vehicles in this manner is time consuming,inconvenient, and in many instances unsafe and inadequate.

Various types of specialty tie-down and clamp-down devices have beendeveloped to be utilized in conjunction with specific objects. Forexample, various types of snowmobile trailers have bar structures thatcan be affixed across the tops of the snowmobile skis and are affixed tothe edge frame of the trailer structure. These devicescharacteristically are in fixed position and do not accommodate asnowmobile being at various locations along the length of the bed. Insome cases portions of the frame are adapted to receive part of skis andretain them. These arrangements are lacking in versatility, and in somecases do no adequately restrain the vehicles.

Certain types of trailers utilized for transporting motorcycles and thelike have a longitudinal channel in which the wheels are placed toprevent the wheels from sliding sideways, and the tie-down isaccomplished by various devices as mentioned above. While assisting thepositioning of the motorcycle, these channels substantially impair theuse of the trailer for any other function, and do nothing to prevent theforward and backward motion of the motorcycle.

Many of the transport beds are constructed of a supporting frame towhich a deck or bed is affixed. Various structures and devices have beenutilized to affix the bed to the frame, including bolts, clamps, screwsand sundry fixtures and fasteners. The prior art type of fastening iscostly in assembly and does not readily allow replacement of worn ordamaged bed material. An improvement has been recognized in the priorart wherein side structural members have channels in which the bedmaterial can be inserted and supported along its length. These prior artarrangements generally only deal with the entire bed and requiresubstantial additional fastening structures across the width of the bedto the various frame support members. Such structures are not readilyrepairable or replaceable even with the sliding channels at the sides.

OBJECTS

It is a primary objective of this invention to provide an improvedtransport bed structure.

Yet another objective is to provide a transport bed that has improvedclamp-down and tie-down mechanisms.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide bed mountingstructures that minimize the cost of construction and maximize the easeof repair and replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved clamp-down andtie-down mechanisms that are light-weight, durable, and relativelymaintenance free.

These and other more detailed and specific objectives will becomeapparent from a consideration of the following description of theinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a bed structure utilized for transportingobjects, and includes an improved clamp-down mechanism. One aspect ofthe improved clamp-down mechanism involves a telescoping clamping memberthat is associated with an elongated retention channel integrated aspart of the bed structure, where the telescoping clamp mechanism can beselectively positioned along the length of the retention channel andutilized to clamp at various locations on the bed. One or more retentionchannels may be utilized in a spaced apart relationship. The telescopingclamp members can be retracted and rotated for installation into theclamp position and for releasing from the clamp position.

A tie-down mechanism can also be used within the same retention channelsand is likewise subject to variable positioning along the retentionchannel to form a tie-down relationship with an object.

The telescoping clamp-down mechanism and the tie-down mechanism are eachretained in the retention channel by a rotatable cam that hold themechanisms in the retention channel in a first position and allows themto be removed from the retention channel in a second position.

The retention channels and the structural frame members are adapted tohave bed retaining channels along their lengths to support, retain, andprotect the edges of the bed material without additional clamps orfastening mechanisms.

The rear frame member generally has a channel cross-section and isadapted for mounting lights within the channel recess to protect themfrom damage. In one configuration the rear member has a lower limit orlip portion for protecting the rear frame member if the associated bedstructure is lowered to contact the surface for loading. The upperportion of the rear frame member includes a predetermined number ofprotrusions extending along the length thereof. A slidably engagableramp structure is adapted with a longitudinal channel configured tomatch the arrangement of longitudinal protrusions on the rear framemember. The ramp member is slidably attached to the rear frame memberwhen the bed structure has been put in place, and is adapted to retainand protect the rear edge of the bed. The ramp structure is sloped toallow ease of loading from the rear when the bed structure is utilizedwith a tiltable supporting structure.

All of the component parts are integrally formed from extrudedlight-weight material and cut to lengths required for assembly, thereproviding an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing system forvarious sizes of bed structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame that can be utilized tosupport the improved bed structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bed structure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a telescoping clamp-down mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 4—4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the retention channel;

FIG. 6 is a side-view of a tie-down mechanism operable with theretention channels;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the retention cam;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of a portion of the telescoping clamp-downmechanism having a tie-down portion;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the shape of the sidepanel of the frame structure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear framemember;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear rampand bed retention member; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear frame member with therear ramp and bed retention member slidably engaged in cooperation witha portion of the bed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame and associated tonguehaving a pair of channels disposed at opposite sides and runninglongitudinally. The trailer frame 10 is made up of front beam 12, sidepanels 14 and 16, and rear channel member 18, each of which has a decksupport portion. A pair of cross beams 20 and 22 are spacedfront-to-back by spacers 24, 26 and 28. A pair of frame support members30 and 32 are positioned parallel to one another and are arrangedlongitudinally to side support panels 14 and 16. These support members30 and 32 are arranged for providing support to the entire frame 10 onan axle, represented by dashed line 34, and on a pair associated wheelsshown as dashed lines 36 and 38. As will be described in more detailbelow, support members 30 and 32 cooperate with slidable mountingstructures (not shown in FIG. 1) to allow slidable adjustment of theaxle 34 either forwardly or rearwardly of the frame, as illustrated byarrow 39. This configuration of the trailer frame 10 is illustrativeonly, and various other configurations of members can be utilized asnecessary to serve various uses, size considerations, and strengthrequirements.

A generally channel shaped member 40 is arranged to cooperate with aportion of tongue 42 and is located and affixed to the undersides offront beam 12 and cross beam 22, and is utilized for providing avertical span support, as well as a lateral support for tongue 42.

The front end 44 of tongue 42 is adapted to have a hitch 46 attached asby bolts (not shown) extended through holes aligned on dashed lines 48.Tongue 42 has longitudinal opposed channels 50 and 51 extending along atleast a portion of its length.

For fixed tongue trailer frames, channel 40 would be firmly affixed totongue 42, as by bolts, welding, or other suitable interconnection. Forthose trailer frames that are characterized as tilt bed, end 52 oftongue 42 is pivotally mounted (not shown) to the tongue mount 40 nearend 52. A releasable tongue catch (not shown in FIG. 1) is mountedforward of front beam 12 and operates to releasably couple tongue 42within channel 40. When the tongue catch is released, trailer frame 10is allowed to rotate about axle 34 in a clockwise direction until thebottom of rear channel 18 touches the surface, thereby allowing asnowmobile or other vehicle to drive onto or off of the trailer. Onceweight is placed forward on the trailer, the frame rotates back untilchannel 40 re-engages tongue 42 and the tongue clamp is utilized to holethe tongue in place. The tongue clamp will be described below. Whilechannel 40 is shown to have a planar top until a pair of downwardlyextending side members, it should be understood that various otherconfigurations could be utilized with tongues of differingcross-sections, or to achieve some other structural goal.

Rear channel 18 has a pair of tail lights 54 and 56 mounted within thechannel, so that the lights are protected from breakage or damage duringloading. Electric power is provided from the tow vehicle through plug 58and cable 60. Cable 60 extends through hole 62 in the top of tongue 42and runs inside tongue 42 toward end 52. The cable 60 then is run insidebeams 22 and 14 to the rear where electrical connection is made tolights 54 and 56. Running cable 60 inside the tongue and the beamsprotects it from damage and breakage. An alternative connection forcable 60 can be provided. The cable can be extended out through end 52and attached externally to the underside of spacers 26 and 28, andextended to the back of end channel 18. Either interconnection willfunction. Various other electrical wiring configurations can beutilized.

A desired number of stake holders such as stake holder 64, can bemounted at desired points along side panels 14 and 16.

The tongue 42, end channel member 18, tongue channel 40, side panels 16,stake holder 64, and the beams are all fabricated from aluminum. Thebeams and spacers are all adapted to support a trailer deck (not shown)that characteristically will be constructed of plywood or some othersuitable material. The aluminum members are fabricated by heating andformed by extruding to the desired shapes, and are joined together bywelding or by corrosion resistant fastener devices as needed. Theextrusion process provides members that are strong and are not stressedby bending and forming processes. The extruded structures are cut tolength for the size trailer framer desired, thereby providing anefficient and cost-effective manufacturing process.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bed structure. In thisconfiguration the bed structure 90 is comprised of three sections 92,94, and 96, with bed sections 92 and 94 separated by retention channel98, and bed sections 94 and 96 separated by retention channel 100. Inthis configuration bed section 92 is slidably supported by bed retentionchannels in side member 16 and by retention channel 98, and at the frontby a portion of front beam 12 and at the rear by a portion of rear framemember 18. Bed section 94 is slidably retained by retention channels 98and 100 along its length and at the ends by front beam 12 and rear framemember 18. Bed section 96 is slidably supported between side panel 14and retention channel 100, and at the ends by front beam 12 and at therear by rear frame member 18. A telescoping clamp-down mechanism 102 isshown in the clamping position with a partial ski 104 clamped beneathextended end portion 106 and the surface of bed section 92. Telescopingclamp-down mechanism 108 is shown with its ends 110 and 112 telescopedinwardly and rotated in a manner to allow any vehicle or snowmobile tostraddle it while being loaded without interference.

Retention channels 98 and 100 are substantially parallelly disposed andextend longitudinally on bed 90 in this configuration. It is of courseunderstood that the retention channels may be greater or lesser innumber than two, may not necessarily extend over the entire length ofthe bed 90, or may also be situated in other configurations, such ashorizontally, depending upon the intended usage of the overall transportstructure.

For illustrative purposes another clamp-down mechanism 114 is shownmounted at a fixed location 116 in the bed portion 94. It is of courseunderstood that in this arrangement the clamp-down mechanism 114 is notadjustable as to location, but is rotatable so that it can be positionedin any position around mounting position 116 and clamped in place.

Tie down mechanism 118 is shown slidably mounted in retention channel98. It too can be positioned longitudinally along retention channel 98and provide tie-down capability in addition to the clamp-down action ofclamp-down mechanism 102. It is of course understood that tie-downmechanism 118 can also be fixedly mounted at any position desired on bed90 and will operate as a fixed tie-down facility.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a telescoping clamp-down mechanism. The entireclamp-down mechanism is referenced generally by arrow 120 and has mainbody portion 122 with a pair of slidably engaged end portions 124 and126 at opposite ends thereof. Telescoping members 124 and 126 areslidably engaged and can be totally retracted within the main bodyportion 122. The clamp-down mechanism includes an elongated bolt 128that extends vertically through the main body portion 122 and has a cammechanism 130 affixed to one end. A clamping handle 132 can be utilizedto turn a clamping nut 134 either downwardly to contact washer 136 orupwardly as far as stop mechanism 138.

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view taken at line 4—4 in FIG. 3. It can beseen that the shape of the main body portion 122 is oval in thepreferred embodiment and has internal shape that substantially matchesthe slidably engaged end portion 126. Of course the same configurationexists with respect to end portion 124. It is understood that differentcross-sectional shapes may be selected.

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the retention channel.

In this configuration there is a base member 140, and a pair of spacedapart upwardly extending members 142 and 144 that have retention members146 and 148 formed therewith respectively. The channel formed betweenretention members 146 and 148 is utilized to retain the cam structure130. The longitudinal channels 150 and 152 are utilized to engage andretain respectively associated sides of sections of the bed. Note thatupper members 146 and 148 are each slightly angled with respect to thebase 140. This arranged such that when bed members are inserted intochannels 150 and 152 there is a separating pressure between the base 140and retention members 146 and 148.

FIG. 6 is side-view of a tie-down mechanism operable with the retentionchannels. The tie-down mechanism 160 utilizes an elongated bolt 162having a tie-down eye member 164 at one end thereof and cam mechanism166 at the other end thereof. Intermediate is situated washer 168 andretention nut 170 that is operable by handle 172.

FIG. 7 is plan view of a retention cam. The cam structure 174 has alower member 176 that has a length dimension that is similar to thewidth of separation of members 142 and 144 in the retention channel 146.It has an upper member 178 that is essentially square and has adimension that approximates the distance between upper member 146 and148 of the retention channel. These dimensions are such that when thecam 174 is rotated in the direction of arrow 180 it will be retainedwithin an associated retention channel and when rotated in the directionof arrow 182 will be positioned so that it is length wise of theretention channel opening and may be removed therefrom.

FIG. 8 is partial view a of portion of a telescoping clamp-downmechanism having a tie-down portion. This illustrates an end 184 of aclamp-down mechanism with its associated slidably engaged end member 186exposed. A tie-down ring 188 is mounted at the end of end member 186.This illustrates that the clamp-down mechanism can also serve as atie-down should that capability be required.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the shape of the sidepanel of the frame structure. This illustrates that side panel 16 has anoutwardly extending upper member 190, and a lower inwardly extendingmember 192. A pair of longitudinal spaced apart bed retaining members194 and 196 are adapted to allow the associated portion of the bed to beslidably extended therebetween and retained in place. The upper portion197 provides an upper edge around the bed, and the lower portion 198 isutilized in fabrication with other structural members to provide the bedsupport.

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear framemember. Here rear member 200 has a vertical portion 202 with its lowerend formed into a rearwardly extending stop member 204. The upper member206 has longitudinal protrusions 208 and 210 that form a predeterminedconfiguration for use in slidably mounting and associated rear ramp andbed retention member. The channel that is formed between lower member204 upper member 206 is utilized for mounting lights (not shown) andprotecting them from damage. It is of course understood that additionalor differently spaced or placed longitudinal protrusions can beutilized.

FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear rampand bed retention member. The rear ramp and bed retention member 212 hasan upper lip 214 and a vertical face structure 216 formed therewith thatare utilized to clamp and protect the rear end of the bed. A configuredlongitudinal channel 218 has a configuration that mates with theprotrusions 208 and 210 on the rear frame member 200, and is adapted toallow the rear ramp and bed retention member 212 to be slidably engagedwith the rear frame member 200. A ramp portion 220 is utilized toprovide improved means of loading ground driven vehicles when used witha tilt-bed trailer structure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear frame member with theramp and bed retention member slidably engaged in cooperation with aportion of the bed. It can be seen that rear frame member 200 supports aportion of the bed 222 on its upper surface of upper member 206. Therear ramp and bed retention member 212 is slidably engaged such thatprotrusions 208 and 210 are firmly and slidably engaged with configuredchannel 218.

The rear ramp and bed retention member provides several functions inaddition to the ease of loading mentioned above. As shown, it can bereadily removed by simply sliding it from its slidable engagement withrear frame member 200. This allows the portions of the bed exposed to beslidably removed to the rear for repair or replacement. The rear rampand bed retention member also acts as a wear strip such that if itbecomes damaged through extensive use it may be quite readily removedand replaced without disruption of any of the bed structure. Further,during initial construction it allows the portions of the bed to beslidably inserted and it can then be affixed to the rear frame member tolock the portions of the bed in place.

Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention inconjunction with the drawings, it can be seen at the various statedpurposes and objectives have been achieved, and at various modificationsand extensions will be apparent to those skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, what is intended to beprotected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended Claims.

I claim:
 1. For use with an improved bed structure, having at least oneloading edge, a loading frame structure comprising: a frame memberhaving a lower portion and an upper portion having a bed support portionand a mounting portion having a plurality of longitudinal protrusionsarranged in a predetermined configuration; and an elongated memberhaving an upper portion formed with a bed engaging member and surface incooperative relationship to said bed support portion for engaging thebed, and a longitudinal channel having a predetermined configurationsubstantially mating with said plurality of longitudinal protrusions andslidably engaged therewith.
 2. An improved loading frame structure as inclaim 1 wherein said elongated member further includes: a ramp formed ata predetermined angle.
 3. An improved loading frame structure as inclaim 1 wherein said mounting portion is downwardly extending from saidbed support portion.
 4. An improved loading frame structure as in claim3 wherein said elongated member further includes a bed retention memberfor engaging an elongated portion of the loading edge of the bed andretaining it in position on said bed support portion.
 5. An improvedloading frame structure as in claim 1, wherein said elongated memberfurther includes a hook portion for engaging a portion of one of saidplurality of longitudinal protrusions, whereby said elongated member canbe rotatably mounted or demounted from said frame member.
 6. An improvedloading frame structure as in claim 1 wherein said frame member and saidelongated member are each integrally formed from lightweight material.7. A bed structure having at least one bed member having a predeterminedload support surface and number of bed edges; at least two bed supportmembers joined in a predetermined configuration, each of said at leasttwo support members having a bed support surface in cooperation with anassociated different one of said bed edges, the improvement comprising:a loading frame member having a lower portion and a first upper portionhaving at least one longitudinal protrusion arranged in a predeterminedconfiguration, and having first and second ends respectively affixed toassociated different ones of said bed support members; and a separableelongated member having a second upper portion formed with a bedprotective surface in cooperative relationship with an associated one isof said bed edges, and a longitudinal channel having a predeterminedconfiguration substantially mating with said at least one longitudinalprotrusion and slidably engaged therewith.
 8. The improvement of claim 7wherein said upper portion of said loading frame member includes anadditional bed support surface for supporting an associated one of saidnumber of edges.
 9. The improvement as in claim 8 wherein said at leastone longitudinal protrusion is downwardly extending on said upperportion with respect to said load support surface.
 10. The improvementas in claim 9 wherein said separable elongated member includes a hookportion for engaging a portion of said at least one longitudinalprotrusion, whereby said separable elongated member can be rotatablymounted to said loading frame member without disassembly of said loadingframe member from said bed support members.
 11. The improvement of claim8 wherein said elongated member includes a bed retention member forengaging a portion of an associated one of said number of bed edges andretaining it in position on said additional bed support surface.
 12. Theimprovement of claim 8 wherein said upper portion includes at least twolongitudinal protrusions extending along its length and said separableelongated member includes a mating structure for mating with said atleast two longitudinal protrusions.
 13. The improvement of claim 12wherein said at least two longitudinal protrusions extend downwardly onsaid upper portion with respect to said load support surface, and saidseparable elongated member includes a hook portion for engaging aportion of one of said at least two longitudinal protrusions, wherebysaid separable elongated member can be mounted to said loading framemember.
 14. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said elongated memberincludes a ramp surface formed at a predetermined angle to said bedprotective surface and aids in loading a ground-engaging load.
 15. Theimprovement of claim 7, wherein said lower portion of said loading framemember includes an elongated structure forming a channel between saidelongated structure and said first upper portion.
 16. For use with animproved bed structure having a number of bed structural members andhaving at least one bed member having a load support surface a number ofedges, and at least one loading edge, a loading frame structurecomprising: a frame member having a lower portion and a first upperportion having a bed support portion and a mounting portion having atleast one longitudinal protrusion arranged in a predeterminedconfiguration, and having first and second ends to respectively connectto ones of the bed structural members; and a removable elongated memberhaving a second upper portion with a bed edge protection surface tocooperate with a loading edge of the bed and a channel having apredetermined configuration to substantially mate with said at least onelongitudinal protrusion, said removable elongated member including anengaging structure to engage one of said at least one longitudinalprotrusion, whereby said removable elongated member can be removed orreplaced relative to a loading edge of the bed without removing orreplacing said frame member.
 17. A loading frame structure as in claim16, wherein said removable elongated member further includes: a bedretention member mounted in predetermined proximity to said bed edgeprotection surface, whereby a loading edge of the bed will be bothprotected and retained when said removable elongated member is in placeon said frame member.
 18. A loading frame structure as in claim 16,wherein said removable elongated member further includes a ramp surfaceformed at a predetermined angle to said bed edge protection surface. 19.A loading frame structure as in claim 16, wherein said lower portion ofsaid frame member includes a web structure and an extended structure atan angle to said web structure whereby a channel is formed between saidfirst upper portion and said extended structure.
 20. A loading framestructure as in claim 16 wherein said first upper portion includes atleast two protrusions and said removable elongated member includes amating structure, wherein said engaging structure is arranged tocooperate with a selected one of said at least two protrusions.
 21. Aloading frame structure as in claim 16, wherein said frame member andsaid removable elongated member are each integrally formed fromstructurally strong and lightweight material.
 22. A loading framestructure as in claim 21, wherein said material is extruded aluminum.23. For use with an improved bed structure having a number of bedstructural members and having at least one bed member having a loadsupport surface, a number of edges, and at least one loading edge, aloading frame structure comprising: first means for mounting toassociated ones of the bed structural members, said first meansincluding second means for supporting the at least one loading edge ofthe at least one bed member, and said first means further includingthird means for selectively removably mounting fourth means, whereinsaid fourth means includes fifth means for mating with and removablyengaging said third means and said fourth means further includes sixthmeans for engaging and protecting the at least one loading edge of theat least one bed member.
 24. The loading frame structure of claim 23wherein said fourth means further includes seventh means for engagingand retaining a portion of the load support surface when said fourthmeans is mounted to said third means.
 25. The loading frame structure ofclaim 23 wherein said fourth means further includes ramp means forassisting in loading ground-engaging loads when the bed structure isutilized in a tilt-bed loading operation.